Introduction
MARRIAGE
is Volume 316 in the
ISSUES
series. The aim
of the series is to offer current, diverse information about
important issues in our world, from a UK perspective.
ABOUT TITLE
According to a recent survey, the majority of people
in the UK enjoy good quality relationships. This book,
however, examines both the ups and downs. It looks at
why people get married, or choose not to, the rights of
cohabiting couples, the rise in relationship contracts and
the difference between religious and civil marriages. It
also considers the issues surrounding the topic of divorce,
from how and why people get divorced to the ways in
which they cope during and afterwards.
OUR SOURCES
Titles in the
ISSUES
series are designed to function
as educational resource books, providing a balanced
overview of a specific subject.
The information in our books is comprised of facts, articles
and opinions from many different sources, including:
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Newspaper reports and opinion pieces
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Website factsheets
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Magazine and journal articles
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Statistics and surveys
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Government reports
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Literature from special interest groups.
A NOTE ON CRITICAL EVALUATION
Because the information reprinted here is from a number
of different sources, readers should bear in mind the
origin of the text and whether the source is likely to have
a particular bias when presenting information (or when
conducting their research). It is hoped that, as you read
about themany aspects of the issues explored in this book,
you will critically evaluate the information presented.
It is important that you decide whether you are being
presented with facts or opinions. Does the writer give
a biased or unbiased report? If an opinion is being
expressed, do you agree with the writer? Is there potential
bias to the ‘facts’ or statistics behind an article?
ASSIGNMENTS
In the back of this book, you will find a selection of
assignments designed to help you engage with the
articles you have been reading and to explore your own
opinions. Some tasks will take longer than others and
there is a mixture of design, writing and research-based
activities that you can complete alone or in a group.
Useful weblinks
GOV.UK
FURTHER RESEARCH
At the end of each article we have listed its source and a
website that you can visit if youwould like to conduct your own
research. Please remember to critically evaluate any sources
that you consult and consider whether the information you
are viewing is accurate and unbiased.
